Chery’s Jaecoo Brand Set to Shake Up Australian SUV Market with Premium Offering

By Jeff Gibbs

Exciting news is on the horizon for Australian motorists as Chery Australia announces the impending launch of the Jaecoo brand in the market. Leading the charge is the highly anticipated 2024 Jaecoo J7 mid-size SUV, slated to debut in the latter half of the year. Positioned as a “rugged urban SUV brand,” Jaecoo aims to carve out a niche in the premium SUV segment, setting its sights on established players like Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen.

Taking on the mighty Toyota RAV4 in Australia’s fercely competitive mid-size SUV market, the Jaecoo

J7 represents a premiumspec iteration of the Chery TJ-1 showcased at the 2023 Shanghai motor show. Powering this formidable SUV is a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. With an enhanced output of 145kW/290Nm, the Jaecoo J7 promises a dynamic and refned driving experience, surpassing its Chery stablemates in performance and sophistication. Equipped with an ‘All Road Drive Intelligent System,’ the Jaecoo J7 offers up to seven drive modes, adapting seamlessly to diverse driving conditions. While local specifcation details are yet to be unveiled, Chery Australia has confrmed that the Jaecoo J7 will boast an impressive 14.8-inch portrait infotainment screen, refecting its commitment to cuttingedge technology and premium amenities.

Lucas Harris, Managing Director of Chery Australia, expressed his enthusiasm for introducing the Jaecoo brand to Australian consumers, emphasizing its dedication to setting new benchmarks for luxury and versatility in the SUV segment. The Jaecoo brand’s debut is part of a broader product offensive by Chery, with plans to introduce its frst electric vehicle, the Chery Omoda E5, alongside an expanded Omoda 5 range featuring turbo-petrol GT models. Furthermore, Chery has committed to an extensive Australian chassis tuning program, underscoring its commitment to enhancing the appeal and competitiveness of its vehicles in the Australian market. With ambitious goals of securing a spot among Australia’s top fve brands by sales volume, Chery is poised to make waves with its innovative offerings and customer-centric approach. Keep an eye out for the arrival of the Jaecoo J7 and other exciting developments from Chery in the months to come.